Marine Fisheries

Braxton Davis, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, upon the recommendation of Betsey Tilson, M.D., M.P.H., State Health Director, Department of Health and Human Services, hereby announces that the following change in shellfish harvesting area will take effect at sunrise, Saturday, December 16, 2017.

All those waters New Hanover County will return to the status in existence immediately prior to the December 10, 2017, temporary closure except the following which will remain closed:

NEW HANOVER COUNTY

All those waters bordered on the north by a line beginning at a point 34°15.0803’N -77°47.0404’ W on the mainland near Howe Point, running southeasterly through Marker “121” and following the northern shore of Masons Creek to the southern tip of Figure Eight Island, and bordered on the south by a line beginning at a point 34°11.5660’N -77°49.6758’ W on the mainland, running southeasterly near IWW Channel Marker #129 to a point on the south shore of Shinn Creek at 34°11.3991’N -77°49.3386’ W, thence running southeasterly to a point 34°10.9146’N -77°48.9429’ W on the northern tip of Masonboro Island (see map).

The following also remains closed:

ONSLOW / CARTERET COUNTIES

Freeman Creek - All those waters in Freeman Creek upstream of a straight line across the mouth.

Queens Creek – All those waters in Queens Creek upstream of a straight line across the mouth.

White Oak River - All those waters in White Oak River upstream of the Highway 24 Bridge at Swansboro.

B. It is unlawful to violate the provisions of any proclamation issued by the N.C. Fisheries Director under his delegated authority pursuant to N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03H .0103.

C. In accordance with N.C. General Statute 113-221.1(c) all persons who may be affected by proclamations issued by the Fisheries Director are under a duty to keep themselves informed of current proclamations.

D. This proclamation returns the following area to normal closure boundaries: a portion of Middle Sound.

E. This reopening is due to an assessment that the northern portion of Middle Sound was not affected by the December 10, 2017 Wrightsville Beach sewer spill.